Anirban Dasgupta in conversation with the COO of Jumeirah Group of Hotels Alexander Lee. His over 13 years with Jumeirah have witnessed the making of one of the most well-known names in Hospitality in the Middle East that lives up to its tagline of taking luxury Hospitality to new heights.
- What sets Jumeirah apart from other luxury hotel brands?
Jumeirah stands apart through its attention to detail and high-quality services. In addition to this, our expertise in catering to both individual and multigenerational group travel is unparalleled in the industry. We have a diverse range of luxury properties in Dubai and newer destinations, which offer flexibility and versatility in accommodation options such as suites and villas. This makes us the perfect choice for high-net-worth clients who require comprehensive and personalized services to create the best experiences for their complex travel needs.
- How optimistic are you about the hospitality industry’s recovery post-COVID?
I am very optimistic about the industry’s recovery post-COVID. We have noticed that customers are more than willing to travel and spend longer periods at their destination. Business and leisure travel are now combined to create longer and more enriching travel experiences. Our portfolio of luxury hotels provides diverse experiences, and our concierge teams are well-connected experts in their destinations. Utilizing the expertise of concierge services is a returning trend, and I am confident that this will drive the industry’s success.
- How important is the Indian market for Jumeirah?
The Indian market is of significant importance to us. Dubai is already a very popular destination for Indian travellers, and we have seen a 24% increase in Indian guests at our Dubai hotels this year. This trend is expected to continue, and we see a lot of interest in our newer properties in the Asia Pacific, Maldives, Bali, Muscat, and Bahrain. Indian travellers are attracted to our luxury leisure offerings, and we are also seeing increased demand for smaller group getaways, multigenerational family travel, and destination weddings in Muscat and Bahrain.
- In what ways does Jumeirah prioritize sustainability, and how does this approach impact the guest experience?
Jumeirah has a comprehensive ESG strategy that we are implementing, with a focus on sustainability initiatives. One of our early-stage works includes the removal of single-use plastic across our Dubai resorts. We have also introduced a water bottling plant within our properties to use reusable glass and reduce carbon emissions. We prioritize sustainable sourcing and have partnered with seafood tracing companies to examine our seafood sourcing strategy. We also target food waste reduction, and our partnership with analytic and strategic change management company Window has proven very effective in reducing food waste across our properties.
- Any plans for India in the near future?
While we do not have any plans identified for the Indian market yet, we appreciate the brand recognition and demand from Indian travellers. We are in a period of growth at the brand, having recently opened four hotels over the last two years and developing three more to open in the next two years. Our focus remains on identifying locations that cater to our luxury traveller audience, and we are exploring opportunities for growth opportunistically in the years to come. Recently, we applied for a property in Geneva, Switzerland, as one of our newer entrances into the European market.
